Lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation in preterm infants to prevent retinopathy of prematurity: a randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVES

Lutein and its isomer zeaxanthin (L/Z) function in the eye as antioxidant agents and blue-light filters. Our aim was to evaluate whether their administration could help decrease the occurrence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in preterm infants.

METHODS

Infants with gestational age ≤32 weeks were randomly assigned to receive a daily dose of L/Z (0.14 + 0.006 mg) or placebo until discharge.

RESULTS

ROP occurrence was similar in the L/Z (11/58; 19%) and placebo (15/56; 27%) groups, as the occurrence of ROP at each stage and the need of eye surgery.

CONCLUSION

L/Z supplementation was ineffective in preventing ROP in preterm infants and did not affect the outcome at discharge of our patients.